466 DIANA MALLORY

complacently; ' worth a little trouble. So I told him
kindly, I'd think of it. Ecco !'—he pointed to the letter.
' Of course I told my uncle I should permit him to con-
tinue my allowance, and in a year I shall be a merchant
prince—in the egg; I shall be worth marrying; and
I shall allow Bttie two hundred a year for her clothes/
1 And Lady Niton ? ' r

Bobbie sat down abruptly; the girl stared at the carpet,
f I don't see the point of your remark,' said Bobbie
at last, with mildness. * When last I had the honour of
hearing of her, Lady Niton was taking the air—or the
waters—at Strathpeffer.'

* As far as I know,'—remarked Sir James—* she is
staying with the Feltons, five miles off, at this moment/

Bobbie whistled. ' Close quarters S* He looked at
Miss Ettie Wilson; and she at him. * May I ask whether,
as soon as Ettie and I invited ourselves for the day, you
asked Lady Niton to come to tea ?J

* Not at all. I never play Providence, unless I'm told
to do so. Only Miss Mallory is coming to tea/

Bobbie expressed pleasure at the prospect; then his
amiable countenance—the face of an ' Idle Apprentice/
whom no god has the heart to punish—sobered to a real
concern, as the association of ideas led him to inquire
what the latest news might be of Oliver Marsham.

Sir James shook his head; his look clouded. He
understood from Lady Lucy that Oliver was no better;
the accounts in fact were very bad.

1 Did they arrest anybody ? ' asked Bobbie.

' At Hartingfield ? Yes—two lads. But there was not
evidence enough to convict. They were both released;
and the village gave them an ovation/

Bobbie hesitated,

* What do you think was the truth about that article 3'
Sir James frowned and rose.